Trouble in Bavaria's Commuter Traffic: GDL's Strike Causes Havoc
Picture this: It's rush hour in Bavaria, and you're stuck in a jam. But it's not just any traffic jam; it's the one caused by the German Train Drivers' Union (GDL) strike. On Thursday morning, the warning strike by the GDL disrupted the commuter traffic in Bavaria to a considerable extent.
The cancellations and delays turned commuting into a gamble for some, while stations in major cities like Munich and Nuremberg remained unusually empty. Some S-Bahn lines only ran every 60 minutes, and some were completely canceled. The disruption was so significant that Deutsche Bahn (DB) had to advise passengers to either postpone their journeys or make individual inquiries for their specific routes.
The strike was called for a 20-hour duration, starting from 10 p.m. on Wednesday and ending at 6 p.m. on Thursday. Interestingly, the private railroads operating in Bavaria, such as goAhead, Länderbahn, and Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB), were not impacted by the strike call. However, there were still disruptions.
For example, the Oberpfalzbahn between Schwandorf and Bodenwöhr on the Länderbahn routes was disrupted in the early hours of the morning due to work stoppages in the Bodenwöhr signal box. Similar disruptions were reported on the alex between Regensburg and Schwandorf due to work stoppages in the Regensburg signal box.
Negotiations for a new collective agreement between the GDL and DB took place last week, but the talks were postponed until this Thursday. The union is demanding various changes, including an increase of 555 euros per month for employees and an inflation compensation bonus of up to 3,000 euros. Another point of contention is the demand for a reduction in working hours from 38 to 35 hours for shift workers with full pay compensation.
The GDL's strikes could potentially lead to an increase in tariffs for affected railroad services, as DB might need to recover lost revenue. The traffic congestion caused by the strikes also impacted nearby roads, causing longer journey times for motorists.
The enrichment data suggests that the 20-hour warning strike in March 2025 is likely to cause similar disruptions as the previous strikes, but the specific extent of the impact would depend on the latest updates and announcements from Deutsche Bahn or the GDL union.
So, next time you're planning a journey, keep an eye on the news and updates regarding the GDL strikes to avoid getting stuck in a traffic jam!
